Samuel Champlain returned home from New Spain and reported to his king, Henri IV, in the winter of 1602. The king, impressed with the detailed maps, drawings and writings, awarded Samuel a pension and job as one of his royal geographers. At this point in his young life, Champlain was comfortable. He owned property and had an annual income, compliments of the king. If he wished, Sam could settle down in a seaport town on the coast of France, marry, raise a family, dabble in trade and commerce.
Instead, Champlain shared a dream with Henri IV . . . to establish a French colony in the New World. Many years earlier, Francois I had financed three explorations by Jacques Cartier. The quest was to discover a watery passage to China. Cartier penetrated the St Lawrence river as far as Ile d'Orleans and beyond. Because of Cartier's voyages, France claimed the Atlantic coast of North America and the interior to the fortieth parallel as "Nova Francia". This claim was respected by several European nations. By 1504, dozens of Breton and Normand fishing boats were catching cod off the Grand Banks each summer. Some boat crews were also trading European products for valuable furs. It was time to further explore, experiment and eventually establish a permanent settlement.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Samuel Champlain (Part 2)
Samuel Champlain sailed on his uncle's ship to Spain. They were hauling Spanish soldiers and war equipment home to Spain at the conclusion of the French Religious Wars. Sam's uncle was an interesting character, part sailor, part merchant, part pirate, part spy. Among the Spanish who safely arrived in Spain was a high ranking officer who had befriended Samuel. Shortly after arriving in Spain, Sam's uncle leased his ship to the Spanish yet again. . . this time to cary merchandise to New Spain and Samuel Champlain was to go along to protect his uncle's interests.
Champlain saw much of the Spainish possessions in the New World. . . and was very taken by the beautiful islands, the exotic plants and animals and the several indian cultures he saw. Many of the indians were enslaved by the Spanish and worked to death. There were also many African slaves . . . also worked to death. The Spanish, did not consider these people to be human beings. Champlain, on the other hand, saw the indigenous people as possessing a highly-developed cultures, some of whom had mastered sciences like astronomy, archetecture, mathematics, writing and government.
Champlain saw Panama, Mexico city, Havana and other cities. He observed and drew detailed maps of harbors, defenses, shoals, channel depths and whatever else he could. Because of his training as a cartagrapher, navagator and artist, his maps were very accurate for his time. Sam was very cautious about recording this sensitive information. If the Spanish discovered his writings and maps, Champlain would be condemned as a spy, possibly torured and surely hanged.
Champlain saw much of the Spainish possessions in the New World. . . and was very taken by the beautiful islands, the exotic plants and animals and the several indian cultures he saw. Many of the indians were enslaved by the Spanish and worked to death. There were also many African slaves . . . also worked to death. The Spanish, did not consider these people to be human beings. Champlain, on the other hand, saw the indigenous people as possessing a highly-developed cultures, some of whom had mastered sciences like astronomy, archetecture, mathematics, writing and government.
Champlain saw Panama, Mexico city, Havana and other cities. He observed and drew detailed maps of harbors, defenses, shoals, channel depths and whatever else he could. Because of his training as a cartagrapher, navagator and artist, his maps were very accurate for his time. Sam was very cautious about recording this sensitive information. If the Spanish discovered his writings and maps, Champlain would be condemned as a spy, possibly torured and surely hanged.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Samuel Champlain
Samuel Champlain, founder of New France, was a very interesting guy. He and his men built and occupied the first permanent European settlement in Quebec in 1608.
Some speculate Sam was one of several illegitimate sons of Henry IV, King of France. It is surmised that he was baptized in the Huguenot faith as the given name Samuel was very popular among Protestants at the time.
Sam grew up in a family of successful merchant sea captains on the Atlantic coast of France. Champlain was well educated for the times and trained in art, navigation, map making and music. Sam also had a keen interest in nature as well as human cultures. He also had easy access to his king.
Champlain and his family lived and fought for Henry during the French Religious Wars. The Catholics and French Protestants (called Huguenots) were involved in bloody battles and brutal atrocities. . .all in the name of Christianity. This bloody conflict would blaze for a few years, settled down then flared up again. At one point, foreign powers were invited by the Catholics and the Huguenots to send armies to strengthen their forces. The Spanish (a Catholic country) and the English (a Protestant country) were most eager to help.
Finally, after many battles and sieges, Henry switched his religious affiliation for the third and final time from Catholic to Huguenot to Catholic (which was the largest religious affiliation in France).
The war ceased and the foreign armies were asked to leave or would be driven out. By royal decree, Henry IV created a realm that was officially Catholic . . but tolerant of other faiths. This was a big idea in the late 1500s!
The Spanish decided to remove their army by sea but did not have enough ships to bring their men and supplies home. Most Spanish ships were occupied in transporting the gold, silver and other treasures home from their New World empire.
Champlain’s uncle owned a large cargo ship that he leased to the Spanish. Champlain hoped that by joining his uncle on a sea voyage to Spain, he might find a way of getting passage to Cuba or Mexico. Champlain met with his king to ask permission. Henry IV agreed to the scheme and ordered Champlain to report to him upon his return.
Some speculate Sam was one of several illegitimate sons of Henry IV, King of France. It is surmised that he was baptized in the Huguenot faith as the given name Samuel was very popular among Protestants at the time.
Sam grew up in a family of successful merchant sea captains on the Atlantic coast of France. Champlain was well educated for the times and trained in art, navigation, map making and music. Sam also had a keen interest in nature as well as human cultures. He also had easy access to his king.
Champlain and his family lived and fought for Henry during the French Religious Wars. The Catholics and French Protestants (called Huguenots) were involved in bloody battles and brutal atrocities. . .all in the name of Christianity. This bloody conflict would blaze for a few years, settled down then flared up again. At one point, foreign powers were invited by the Catholics and the Huguenots to send armies to strengthen their forces. The Spanish (a Catholic country) and the English (a Protestant country) were most eager to help.
Finally, after many battles and sieges, Henry switched his religious affiliation for the third and final time from Catholic to Huguenot to Catholic (which was the largest religious affiliation in France).
The war ceased and the foreign armies were asked to leave or would be driven out. By royal decree, Henry IV created a realm that was officially Catholic . . but tolerant of other faiths. This was a big idea in the late 1500s!
The Spanish decided to remove their army by sea but did not have enough ships to bring their men and supplies home. Most Spanish ships were occupied in transporting the gold, silver and other treasures home from their New World empire.
Champlain’s uncle owned a large cargo ship that he leased to the Spanish. Champlain hoped that by joining his uncle on a sea voyage to Spain, he might find a way of getting passage to Cuba or Mexico. Champlain met with his king to ask permission. Henry IV agreed to the scheme and ordered Champlain to report to him upon his return.
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